It may be the smallest, most intimate concert hall in the world.
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On Sunday evening a Rivett living room, measuring a mere 10 metres by six, was transformed into a performance venue for one of Australia's best musicians.
The delight of it was that it allowed music written for a small room - chamber music - to be played in a small room, and that never happens at bigger venues. You can't get intimate music in a huge vault of a room.
"To have world class performers playing in your own home is a rare thing," said Bill McIntyre, who owns the home at the end of Astelia Place.
The house is not a mansion, just an ordinary three-bedroom home with an added bedroom built as an extension.
The home-owners turned concert impresarios, Mr McIntyre and his partner, Libby Hewson, laid out seats for about 60 or 70 concert-goers. A small stage was placed in front of their piano and television. Sometimes numbers rise and more seats are brought in.
The couple cook for the audience and players. There is wine.
On Sunday, the Australian classical guitarist, Hamish Strathdee, played there. He's performed at prestigious American venues and has been widely acclaimed. His debut recording, "Impressions of Spain" was hailed as "an excellent debut" and "a thoroughly engaging album" by Classical Guitar Magazine.
The enterprise started three years ago. Bill McIntyre is an amateur but enthusiastic guitarist. There is a very active classical guitar scene in the ACT. The Canberra Classical Guitar Association has close ties to the guitar department at the ANU which is recognised as of the highest standard, producing top performers.
But putting on concerts is expensive. The hire of the hall to show-case professional musicians can eat all the profit, and that prompted the Rivett couple to offer their living room.
Tickets on Sunday cost $35, including music, food and wine. The couple keep $10 a head for the catering and the rest goes to the artist. "We make not a cent out of it. In fact, we often lose money," Mr McIntyre said.
"It was my idea originally," he said. "I wanted to provide a venue for up and coming performers which would give them an intimate audience and return them a decent concert fee."
They say they "want to offer opportunities for Canberra audiences to share their passion for the classical guitar".
A lot of classical music was written for precisely this kind of situation but never gets played that way. "In a concert hall, the musician comes out to play and then goes home," said Mr McIntyre. "Here, the musician plays. We all listen and the musician stays. The up-and-coming guitarist talks to everyone."
There have now been 32 concerts in three-and-a-half years - about one every six weeks.
The dinner is cooked by the couple. Libby Hewson said it takes about two days, "I usually use slow cookers, stuff that can be heated before hand. There's lots of bread and rice".
On Sunday, beef, lamb and vegetarian tagines (Moroccan stews) were offered and devoured.
Concert-goes usually get through 14 bottles of wine (in total, not each). "People who are interested in classical music aren't big drinkers," Ms Hewson said.
Even though it's not-for-profit, it's a commercial venture where strangers pay to come to their house. "It's not like having friends around for dinner," she said.
They have built up a collection of 80 chairs and sets of plates and cutlery.
Concert-goes usually get through 14 bottles of wine (in total, not each). "People who are interested in classical music aren't big drinkers," said Ms Hewson.
It's not like entertaining old friends. Even though it's not-for-profit, it's a commercial venture where strangers pay to come to their house. "It's not like having friends around for dinner," she said.
What about the washing up?
They said that they would do it but often members of the audience rolled up their own sleeves, unbidden. "It's amazing. A lot of people help to wash up but it's not a requirement," Ms Hewson said.
The two have just been round Australia with a caravan, back just in time to start cooking for the last concert.
"It's lovely to share your own home," Ms Hewson said.
- The next concert is on Saturday, August 24. Click here for details.